To the many challenges UTEP faces on the offensive line as it opens Conference USA play at UTSA on Saturday, add this: It’s hard to figure what plan they are on.

Plan A involved Greg Long and Derron Gatewood, and that was gone by mid-August.

They’ve reconfigured and patchworked in various ways for four games. Now, they’ll do it again as they cast about to replace Jerrod Brooks, who is having surgery on his knee this week.

On Monday, the Miners worked with Markos Lujan at center, Ruben Guerra at right guard and Josiah Gray at right tackle after moving over from the left side. That's how they ended last week's loss to New Mexico State after Brooks went down.

On Tuesday, Gray was out with an excused personal absence so Guerra, the team’s “Swiss Army knife,” was at right tackle, Lujan was at right guard and Bijan Husseini was at center. This is likely how they'll begin against UTSA.

More changes

One way or another, UTEP will use its fourth different starting lineup in five games. The unit that most needs continuity will be starting over again as it looks to build some.

"The big challenge for us with the offensive line is just getting consistency and cohesion with the group, having guys at certain positions for extended periods of time," coach Dana Dimel said. "When we've been able to do that, we've been able to have some successful run games. That's something we're striving to do; we'll find continuity with this group. We're moving guys, finding people in the right position."

"I'm not going to lie, it's challenging," said Guerra, who may get his second start at tackle this week. He has started at center once and guard twice. "Staying together as a group is the biggest thing, coming together.

"I can't say (playing three positions) it's the worst thing in the world. I had to practice all three positions in the summer. They told me to prepare for something like this because they want me to play anywhere I can. It's not that bad, honestly."

'It's been interesting'

Right now the priority is getting the five best players on the field, with the positions working out accordingly. That's how Gray ended up moving from a backup spot on the left side to contending to start on the right.

"It's been interesting," Gray said. "It's weird going from left side to right side and not having too much time to prepare. It's going to be a process getting used to that. We're trying to make those adjustments as quickly as possible. It's been difficult; there are a lot of adjustments, but we have to just keep going."